But will that be that for the aggressive 22-year-old Scotland international or will Stoke try to hurry a deal along today?

Scott McKenna has been forging a reputation at Aberdeen. (Image: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

James Justin - Luton Town full-back

Enterprising defender, aged 19, has made a name for himself at Kenilworth Road in League Two and League One over the last couple of seasons, playing at either right or left-back.

A former Nathan Jones prodigy and Stoke's 'no-poaching' agreement with Luton may have a loophole if another club makes a bid for a player.

Justin played in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Portsmouth which leaves the Hatters five points clear at the top of the table. He has also been linked with Aston Villa and Leeds.

"Running out of superlatives now to describe Justin’s performance as they are at a consistently high level," said LutonToday's Mike Simmonds this week.

Always considered a long shot at this stage of the season with Luton flying so high - and reported last night that Stoke and Villa were told it was a no go.

(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Peter Crouch - Stoke striker

Crouch has been the go-to man from the bench this season but turned 38 yesterday and is out of contract in the summer.

It has been widely reported Stoke could try to use him as a sweetener with Burnley in exchange for Sam Vokes. Sean Dyche has been adamant he won't sell without bringing in a replacement.

Crouch, for what it's worth, insists age is no issue.

He said in his Daily Mail column at the weekend: "When I look around the leagues, I see players who are well into their thirties who are thriving. James Milner, at 33, is playing a big part in Liverpool's drive to become champions. Glenn Murray is 35 but he's scoring goals every week for Brighton, whose club captain, Bruno, is 38.

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"Jermain Defoe, who was 36 in October, scored on his Rangers debut earlier this week and will net a hat-full in the Scottish Premier League over the next 18 months. These lads have a number of things in common with Ashley Cole, mainly their fitness, professionalism and desire.

"There shouldn't be a stigma about age with footballers. I'm 38 on Wednesday but I can assure you I'm still doing the same things in training that I did when I was 28. Your hunger and determination never leave you."

(Image: Malcolm Hart)

James McClean - Stoke midfielder

The aforementioned swap deal or not, The Sun was last night claiming that McClean to Nottingham Forest to be reunited with ex-Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill was gathering pace.

McClean only arrived at Stoke in the summer but has only been used in an energetic cameo role up front since the arrival of Nathan Jones.

James McClean, who's been linked with Forest move, pictured with Nathan Jones after win over Leeds (Image: PA)

Bryan Dabo - Fiorentina midfielder

Stoke have been put in the frame by the press in Hannover, who are tracking Dabo because he is apparently on manager Horst Heldt's wanted list.

Dabo, they claim, wants to leave Fiorentina and suitors include Stoke, Monaco and Fenerbahce as well as Kevin Wimmer's Bundesliga strugglers. The Italian papers say that he is in the crosshairs of Serie A pair Frosinone and Chievo.

The 26-year-old Burkina Faso international - and former France under-21 - is described variously as a defensive midfielder or box-to-box type. He had a brief spell with Blackburn Rovers in 2014 and arrived at Fiorentina from Montpellier via St Etienne.

“It has been difficult because for the first time in my career I have found myself in and out of the team really,” he said earlier this month.

“When I have been out of the team, the lads have done well so I haven’t got any issues with anyone or anything like that. I just have to keep going and force myself into the team and get the results when I am in the team.

“It is definitely a learning curve and it gives you a bit of perspective. I used to get wound up about these kind of things but I have calmed down a bit over the last year and it is all about the team."

(Image: Laurence Griffiths)

Erik Pieters - Stoke defender

The Mirror claims that Erik Pieters is wanted by Martin O'Neill 'in a separate cash deal'.

Pieters has been a near-permanent fixture at left-back for Stoke since he became Mark Hughes's first signing in the summer of 2013 - and was tagged as probably the best in that position on form in the Premier League in 2015 by then assistant boss Mark Bowen.

(Image: James Knowles)

But he has fallen sharply out of favour since Jones's arrival and played for Stoke under-23s in a 6-2 thrashing of Sunderland on Monday night.

Forest are said to be looking for a new left-back after selling Danny Fox to Wigan.

Moritz Bauer - Stoke defender

Back in favour but for how long?

The Austria defender entered January probably thinking his time was running out at Stoke and there was a big link with Wolves and a loan move.

Now? Celtic are apparently among his suitors but would Stoke let him go without having a replacement?

Saido Berahino, Bojan, Mame Diouf, Darren Fletcher - Stoke fringe men

Nathan Jones shipped out eight players in his first few days at Luton. How many early exits will he sanction at Stoke?

Bojan has not featured yet under Jones, having suffered a virus when the new boss came in. He was named as sub against Preston on Saturday.

Rory Delap said before kick-off: “It’s been unfortunate since the new manager has come in that Bojan has been a little bit ill but if it comes down to it today and he gets a chance, hopefully he can come on.”